Displaced Kashmiri pandits observe Martyrs Day

Kashmiri pandits displaced by militancy in the Kashmir Valley on Friday observed Martyrs Day to highlight their plight.

Jammu/New Delhi, Sept 14 : Kashmiri pandits displaced by militancy in the Kashmir Valley on Friday observed Martyrs Day to highlight their plight.

They criticised the Centre for towing the line of separatists by considering plans for greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir.

"Greater autonomy will destroy India's sovereignty. In fact, we believe the dream of porous borders and sovereignty will actually help realise the dreams of the Islamic radicals to make Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal and Assam into South Asia Khalifate," said Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman of Panun Kashmir, an organization of the displaced Kashmiri Hindus.

The day marks the killing of the first Hindu by Muslim militants in 1989.

According to the National Human Rights Commission, about 300,000 Kashmiri pandits have been forced to leave Kashmir because of the militancy. But Kashmiri groups peg the number of migrants closer to 500,000.

According to officials the exodus began at the start of 1990 due to a sudden rise in killings of Hindus and attacks on Pandit homes by Muslim militants.

While some of the displaced made their way to Delhi and other parts of the country, about 200,000 bitter and disillusioned Pandits are still languishing at relief camps in Jammu.

Meanwhile, displaced Kashmiri Hindus took out a protest rally in the national capital and burned effigies of Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf.

The protestors demanded rehabilitation for Kashmiri Hindus.

"Till the time a final solution is arrived for Kashmir, we should be rehabilitated. People should be rehabilitated in places where they are living now," said L.N. Dhar, President of the Delhi-based Kashmir Committee.

ANI